A Reflection on Urbicide and the Emotional Memory of Space

The first screening in our Urbinary Movie Nights series was an engaging workshop with filmmaker Philip Cox, who presented rough cut moments of his upcoming collaborative documentary, Khartoum. The film offers a poignant exploration of life in a city ravaged by war: Khartoum, Sudan. Through the intimate stories of five individuals, it delves into the devastating impacts of war on urban territories, highlighting the phenomenon of “urbicide,” the deliberate destruction of urban spaces, which is an increasingly pressing issue in contemporary society. 

The documentary also sheds light on a conflict that remains largely overlooked: the ongoing war in Sudan. By portraying the human cost of this conflict, Cox and his fellow Sudanese directors bring attention to the resilience  of the city’s inhabitants and their enduring connection to their urban environment, even amidst destruction. 

During the discussion that followed the screening, Philip Cox left us with a powerful reflection: “…we carry an emotional memory of space…” This statement underscores the innate human desire and right to return to one’s place of origin, emphasizing how people forever carry the memory of their urban spaces. 
Cox elaborated, saying: “You all know the sound of your house as a child. Can you know them, the sound of your father walking up the stairs or your mother turning a door or the sound of a street? Somehow this is imprinted within us. And it actually, we carry it forever.”  These words resonate deeply, reminding us of the lasting impact that our surroundings—our homes, streets, and cities—have on our identity and sense of belonging. The emotional ties we form with urban spaces are imprinted within us, shaping who we are and what we carry forward, even when those spaces are no longer accessible or have been irreparably altered. 

As the evening concluded, one key takeaway emerged: “And it’s something that I learnt in this process of humans carrying emotional space of their city, of their streets, of their things.” This insight reflects the central theme of the film and the workshop: the indelible imprint of urban spaces on human experience and the right to reclaim and reconnect with those spaces, no matter the challenges faced. 
The screening and discussion served as a compelling reminder of the profound connections between people and their cities, as well as the urgent need to protect urban spaces from the devastation of war. By giving voice to the stories of those affected, Khartoum not only documents a specific conflict but also prompts broader reflections on the role of memory, identity, and resilience in the face of urbicide.